Grade

 

Subject/Predicate Lesson 005

Skills - Simple Subject

Unlike the complete subject, the simple subject is the noun or pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about. In the sentences below the simple subject is a single word. The simple subject does not include describer words like adjectives and article adjectives. Let's look at an example or two:

Example 1: The pretty flowers blossom for several months.

The simple subject is the single thing the sentence is about - flowers. The words The and pretty describe flower. What do the flowers do? Yes, they blossom. Blossom is the verb or the action. Even though months is a noun, it is not what the sentence is about. "For several months" tells how long flowers blossom. You should be able to take the simple subject and the verb (which is the simple predicate) and make a simple sentence - Flowers blossom. Using the other noun in the sentence wouldn't make sense - Months blossom. Don't be fooled by sentences that do not have the simple subject and simple predicate right next to each other.

Example 2: The boy rarely reads books his sister likes.

Who or what is the sentence about? boy
What does the boy do? reads
Therefore - Boy reads. Books don't read. And in this sentence sister doesn't read. So, don't just find a noun or pronoun and pick it as the simple subject without checking it out first!

Find the simple subject in each of the following sentences.
1. The koala lives in Australia.
2. Some people believe this animal looks like a little bear.
3. But bears are not related to koalas.
4. The koala is a marsupial.
5. A marsupial has a pouch for carrying its young.

6. The kangaroo is another Australian marsupial.
7. The koala has no tail.
8. Its fur is thick and gray.
9. The little animal has large furry ears.
10. The koala often sleeps during the day.
11. At night this animal eats the leaves and shoots of the eucalyptus tree.
12. A mother koala carries her baby in her pouch.
13. The baby lives in her pouch for at least six months.
14. Then the mother carries her baby on her back.
15. The little koala rides on her back for several months.

16. The baby must hold on tight as its mother jumps from limb to limb.

17. The little animal must learn to be a good climber.
18. Its feet have claws that help it climb and grasp.
19. The eucalyptus leaves hide the shy koala and provide its food.
20. The frees will always be the koala's home.

 
 
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